Burial-casket.



J. H. MILLS.

BUR-IAL GASKET.

Patented Sept. 22, 1914.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

J. H. MILLS.

BURIAL GASKET.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 26, 1909.

Patented Sept. 22, 1914.

s SHEETS-SHEET 2.

IHE NORRIS PETERS C01. PHO10 LITHO.. WASHINGTON. D, c.

J'. H. MILLS.

BURIAL CASKET.

APPLICATION FILED APE.26, 1909 1,1 1 1, 1 66, Patented Sept. 22, 1914.

3 SHBETSHEET 3.

5566' IweizZZF THE NORRIS PETERS ca. PHOT0-LITHO., WASHINGTON. D. C

JOSEPH I-I. MILLS, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA.

BURIAL-CASKET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 22 1914..

Application filed April 26, 1909. Serial No. 492,100.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrrr H. MILLs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, IVaynepounty, Indiana, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Burial-Caskets, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to burial caskets and the object thereof is to provide a casket so constructed and arranged that one and the same casket may be converted into any one of a large number of different styles or designs, with the result that a single structure is enabled to subserv'e the uses of a large number of different structures. In practice such result is very important, inasmuch as it permits of a considerable reduction in the amount of stock carried by an undertaker and moreover enableshim to give a much wider range of style or design than would otherwise be possiblewithin practical limits.

The various features of advantage and utilityin my new form of asket will be further made apparent bythe description hereinafter given.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a burial casket embodying my invention; Fig. 2 a plan view of one end thereof which for convenience may be considered the upper or head end; Fig. 3 an end elevation of the front or head end of the casket; Fig. 4 a section on the line H of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 a section similar to Fig. 4 but showing portions of the top opened out; Fig. 6 a crosssection of the casket with the top wholly removed andwith one side let down; Fig. 7 a cross-section of the top similar to the top shown in Fig.4; Fig. 8 a detail cross-section on the line 88 of Fig. 1; Fig. 9 a section similar'to Fig. 8 but showing the top portion or-lidswung open;Fig. 10 a sectional detail on the line 1010 of 2; Fig. 11 a section onthe line 11-11 of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 a-section on the, line 12--12 of Fig. 4.; and Figs. 13 and 14: elevations of some of the different forms or styles of which my new casket is capable. 1

Referring to the present embodiment of my invention as herein illustrated, the casket body or so-called shell 1 is made in a suitable manner and of conventional. form except that one of the sides 2 is hinged to the base or lower portion of the shell in suitable manner, as by means of the hinges 3, so that the. same may be swung-or let down for the purpose of forming what is generallycalled the couch style. In practice and by preference the joint between the ends of the side 2 and the shell is covered or concealed, in the present instance by means of the carving 4.- which not only serves as an ornamentation but acts as a blind for said joint, this carving being here shown as on said hinged side 2 and therefore movable therewith. Moreover, as shown in Fig. l, the said joint is not made vertical but on a curved line following the outside edges of the carvings 4, with the result that the weight, when the casket is lifted by the usual handles, will notbe exerted upon the hinges of the side 2 but upon the body of the shell itself. Furthermore, as shown, one edge of said ornamentation projects over or overhangs said joint with the result that the side of the shell is strengthened, it being understood that the side is at an angle so that upward pressure on the usual handles (not shown)- tends to force the side inwardly, which thrust is thus received by said overhang. The side 2 is held in its closed position in suitable manner as by means of the latches or catches 5 on the upper inner surface of the sides-of the shell. While it is possible to make both of'the longer sides of the shell of the swinging type, as just described, yet I prefer to make only one side of that structure of such type, leaving the other side of the conventional construction, it being sufiicient in practice to have one side capable of being swung or let down.

The top or cover of the shell is made in twomain' portions or sections, one of which is by preference somewhat longer than the other, the division between the sections being indicated along the irregular line a in Fig. 1, such line being curved on the top of the panel and in front of the raised portion a usually employed for the name plate, with the result that the division line is more or less concealed.

Referring to the shorter or head end of the top or cover, the same comprises a numberof sections hinged upon each other and forming when closed a completesection of the top or cover. As shown in Figs. 1 t0 5, this portion of the top is divided to form the parts ofsections 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, of

which the sections 6 are connected at their inner ends with a bridge-piece 11 extending across the shell at the division line a, forming an open frame whichis filled in by the other sectionsjust mentioned. The lowermost sections 6 forming part of the top frame rests upon the top edges of the shell and are hinged thereto in suitable manner on detachable hinges 12, Figs. 8 and 9, such hinges being of such construction as to permit the entire removal of such sections from the shell'as well as to permit of hinging action. The section 10 rests upon the sections 6 and is hinged thereto in suitable manner as by means of the hinges 13 which, however, in the present instance do not permit of the removal of said section. The similar sec tions 7 are hinged by hinges 14 to the sec- L tions 6. The sections 8 which form opposite edges of the panel are in like manner by means of the hinges l5 hinged to the sections 7." As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 the head ends of the sections 7' are angular and ill form a joint with similar ends of the head section while the other ends of said sections abut against the bridge piece forming a flush surface therewith. The main portion of the panel is divided longitudinally into the two sections 99 which are pivoted by means of the hinges 16 to their respective sections 8. For illustrative purposes I have clearly indicated the various hinges but it will be understood that in practice the same will be more or less concealed, or at least not at all conspicuous.

Any suitable means may be employed for securing the sections 9 of the panel in place and in the present instance I employ catches for this purpose, Figs. 10 and 11, the same consisting of spring-pressed hooks 17 secured at the outer ends of the sections 9 and adapted to engage retainers 18 in the end section 10. This latter section is itself held in closed position by means of catches 19 engaging retainers 20 on the inner surfaces of the sections 7 lVhen all of the different sections are in their closed or normal position they fit together to form the ordinary conventional form of lid or cover but by reason of the provision of the sections and [Ithe pivoting of one upon the otherin the manner already described, I am enabled to provide for any desired degree of opening or style or form thereof. The foot or longer portion of the lid or cover is likewise formed in sections but of a less number than the head end, the same consisting of the main portion or section 21 and the panel 22 which is left entire but arranged to be pivoted upon the other section 21 as by means of the hinges 23 which are of the detachable type similar to those illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 whereby the panel 22 may be merely hinged A or may be entirely removed, as desired.

Furthermore, the panel 22 may be hinged on one or both sides, as desired.

As hereinbefore stated, a great variety of different designs or styles of casket may be provided with one and the same casket and while I have obtained upward of thirty of these styles, I have selected for-illustration only some of the more pronounced'designs and will explain some thereof without illustration.

It ,will be understood, of course, that the shell and its top or cover hereinbefore de scribed are upholstered or lined in suitable manner, so that when the sections of the top or cover are swung open the woodwork will be entirely concealed and the lining or up portion of the cover or lid entirely removed from the shell or casket body. When the removed section of the lid is placed as shown in this style (Fig. 14) a space is left for flower decoration of a character both to" decorate the casket and surroundings andto conceal the usual support or pedestal for the" casket. In this particular figure such space is indicated by B.

\Vhile Ihave herein illustrated two different styles of caskets, yet it will be understood that there are still additional styles or combinations possible all ofwhich are possible from one-and the same casket. However, the styles already'referred to will be suflicient to show the wide range of forms or styles possible from a single structure, so that an undertaker with such single structureecan providemany different combinations and styles without the necessity of carrying a large stock of caskets." The casket may be converted in a ready andconv'enient manner from one form of casket to another to conform to the taste or desire of the party selecting the same.

Ic1aim:' 1 1 1. A burial casket top or cover divided transversely into two pa-rts,one' of which is divided longitudinally into a plurality of :7: sections hinged to each-othenf and the-other of which has a removablefpofrtion- I 2. A burial casket top "or cover; divided transversely into two parts, one'of-Iwhichis divided longitudinally into aplurality of sections hinged to each other and having-an j end section separately hinged.

3. A burial casket top or cover transversely into two parts, one of which is f divided longitudinally into a plurality of 1'.

sections hinged to each other and the shell of which has a panelhinged longitudinally thereof. I y

.4. A burial casket top or cover divided transversely into two parts, one of which comprises a frame having a transverse piece or bridge and an-end section transversely hinged, and a plurality of longitudinal and intermediate sections hinged to each other.

- '5. A burial-casket top or cover divided divided' longitudinally into aplurality of sections hinged to each other and the other of which is provided with 'a hinged panel.

-.6. A burial casket top or cover divided transversely into two parts, one of which is divided longitudinally into a plurality of sections hinged to each other andthe other of which is provided with a panel removably hinged thereto. 1 I i r. A j burial casket top or cover divided transversely into two parts, one of which is divided longitudinally into a plurality of sections hinged to each other, and the other of which has a bridge at one end and an opening, and a removable closure for such opening. a ll 8. Aburial casket top or cover divided longitudinally intoa plurality of sections hinged to each other and having a marginal portion adapted to rest upon a casket shell, said top having an end section hinged upon said marginal portion, means'for locking the end section to the longitudinal sections and means for locking the ends of such end section to said marginal portion.

. 9. A burial casket top or cover divided transversel into two arts one of which comprises a frame havinga transverse piece or bridge and an end section transversely hinged, a plurality of longitudinal and intermediate sections hinged to each other,

and means for fastening the end section to said longitudinal sections.

10. A burial casket top or cover formed at one end into an open frame adapted to rest upon the casket shell, a plurality of pairs of longitudinal sections hinged upon each other, the lowermost pair of which is hinged upon said frame, and an end section also hinged to saidframe, said longitudinal sections having angular head ends and 1 adapted to fit or match with the end section.

11. A burial casket top formed at one end with an open frame adapted to fit upon the casket ,shell and having a bridge piece at a pointintermediate the length of such top,

a plurality of pairs of longitudinal sections hinged upon each other and filling said open portion of the frame, the lowermost pair of whlch sectlons are hinged upon sald frame.

12. A burial casket top or cover formed at one end into an openframe adapted to rest upon. the casket shell, a. plurality of pairs of longitudinal sections hinged upon each other,

the lowermost pair of which is hinged upon said frame, and an end section also hingedv to said frame, -.said frame being hinged to the casket shell.

' 13. In combination with the casket shell,

I a burial casket top formed at one'end into an open frame adapted to rest upon the cas:

I f ket shell, a plurality of pairs of longitudinal said frame being. hinged at one side to the casket shell, said top having one end hinged and adapted to be detachably secured to said sections. 1 H

14. In combination with the casket shell,

a burial casket top formed at one-end into an open frame adapted to rest upon the'casket. shell, a plurality of pairs of longitudinal sections hinged upon each other, the lower-'- most pair of which is hinged to the frame,

said frame being hinged at one side to the casketjshell and means including a latchfor securing the other side thereto.

15. In combination with the casket shell, a burial casket top formed atone end into an open frame adapted to restnpon the casket shell, a plurality of pairs of longitudinal sections hinged upon each other, the lowermost pair of which is hinged to the frame, and detachable hinges for hinging one side of the top to the casket shell.

'16. In combination with the casket shell, a' burial casket top formed at one end into an open frame adapted to rest upon the easket shell, a plurality of pairs of longitudinal a burial casket top formed at one end into an sections hinged upon each other, the lowermost pair of which is hinged to the frame, detachable hinges for hinging one side of the top to the casket shell and fasteners on the other side thereof for locking the top in position.

17. In combination with a casket shell, a

burial casket top divided transversely into two parts or sections, the foot section having a name plate boss adjacent the line of division to blind the latter, and the head section consisting of a frame with a bridge piece adja cent said division line and having a plurality of pairs of longitudinal sections hinged upon each other and filling said open portion of, the frame.

18. In combination with a casket shell, a

burial casket top dividedtransversely into two parts or sections,v the foot section having a name plate boss adjacent its line of division to blind the latter, and the head section consisting of a frame with a bridge piece ad- .jacent said division line and having a plu rality of pairs of longitudinal sections hinged upon each other and filling said open portion of the frame, and the foot section having a hinged panel." j j 19. In combination with a casket shell, a burial casket top divided transversely into two parts or sections, the. foot section having a name plate boss adjacent the line of division to blind the latter, and the head section consisting of a frame with a bridge piece adjacent said division line and having a plurallty of pans of longitudlnal sections hinged upon each other and filllng said open portion of the frame and the foot section being detachably hingedto the casket shell and having a hinged panel.

20. A casket shell havingone side hinged curved lines and forming curved line joints and ornamental portions serving as blinds with the end portions of theshell and' ornato conceal the joints at the ends of said side. mentations on said. side having overhanging 21. A casket shell having one side hinged portions adapted tov conceal the joints and. a 5 to swing down and ornamentations thereon strengthen the side by resisting "inward 15 having overhanging portions concealing the thrust. r joints at the ends of the said side and also JOSEPH H. MILLS. strengthening the side by resisting inward Witnesses: v o f thrust. S. E. HIBBEN, 10 22. A casket shell having its ends cut on RoB'r. H. DOBBLEMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Coniinissioner of fatents,

Washington, D. C. k 

